Gun Owners Required to Report Lost or Stolen Firearms
It’s now a law in Colorado to report stolen guns. Under the new law, gun owners are required to not only report stolen guns but also report when a gun has been lost. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to $500.
This article explains the process to report stolen guns, the consequences of failing to report stolen guns, and what to do if you get charged.
Talk with a Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are charged with a crime, talk to a criminal defense attorney. Do not try to make a deal on your own. Get some legal advice first so you understand your rights and responsibilities under the law. Call 303-688-0944 to begin your case assessment.
Report Stolen Guns
The new stolen gun reporting bill, called the Isabella Joy Thallas Act, was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis in April 2021. Thallas was killed by someone using a stolen gun, in 2020.
If you own a gun, the Isabella Joy Thallas Act requires you to notify a law enforcement agency within five days of discovering your gun is gone.
To the best extent possible, police will ask you to provide the following information about the firearm:
- an accurate and detailed description of the gun
- its manufacturer
- the model
- the serial number
- the caliber
- other identification numbers
- any distinguishing mark or marks
Who Can Report Stolen Guns
In addition to the gun owner, family members or other people who live in the home with the gun owner can file the lost or stolen report.
If this happens, the gun owner does not have to make an additional report.
What Happens to the Report
The law enforcement agency you file the report with is supposed to take the information you provided and enter it into the state’s bureau of investigation crime information center database.
Consequences of Not Filing a Report
First Offense: Civil Penalty
According to the law, if a gun owner does not report the lost or stolen weapon within the required timeframe, they have committed a civil infraction. That can result in a $25 fine.
Subsequent Offenses: Criminal Charges
That may not sound very serious to you, but if you flout the law again, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $500.
What to Do if You Find the Gun Later
If your gun happens to turn up, you are supposed to let law enforcement know that you found it. In fact, the law requires anyone who recovers their stolen gun to notify the police.
If You’re Charged with Failure to Report Stolen Guns
Failure to report a lost or stolen gun the first go around results in a civil penalty. If you violate the law more than once, the result is a criminal charge, and our Criminal Defense Team encourages you to talk to an attorney about legal representation.
Our team of criminal defense attorneys handles a variety of criminal matters, from misdemeanor to felony charges.
If you are charged with a crime, talk to an attorney before you do anything else. We offer a initial case assessment where you can talk to an attorney about your charges, your legal rights, your legal options, what’s next, and more.
Call 303-688-0944 to set up your case assessment, or schedule it online.